Broom-sewing machine.



L. P. RAPP.

BROOM SEWING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED 0019,1908. 959,439, Patented May 24, 1910.

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BROOM SEWING MACHINE. APPLICATION EILED 001'. 9, 1908.

959,439. Patented May 24, 1910.

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BROOM SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION PILEI) DOT. 9, 1908.

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Patentd May 24, 1910.

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L. P. RAPP.

BROOM SEWING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 001'. 9, 1908.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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L. P. RAPP.

BROOM SEWING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 001'. 9, 1908.

959,439 Patented May 24, 1910.

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APPLICATION FILED OUT. 9, 1908.

Patented May 24, 1910.-

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APPLICATION TILED OUT. 9, 1908. 959,439, Patented May 24, 1910.

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L. P. RAPP. BROOM SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION I-ILED OUT; 9, 1908.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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mm P RAPE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS PAUL RAPP, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTH TO HENRY A. DIAMANT, ONE-FOURTH TO GEORGE A. SYKES, AND ONE-TWELFTH T0 HERMAN L.

SCI-IAEFER, ALL OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BROOM-SEWING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs PAUL RAPP, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Broom-Sewing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention consists in new and improved mechanism for sewing brooms, the claims more particularly designating the features of invention.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, in which like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of same; Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevations thereof looking at it from opposite sides; Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are details on an enlarged scale of the thread guides, needles, and connected parts, showing the operation of sewing; Fig. 10 is a detail showing the jaw-rocking feed mechanism; Figs. 11 and 12 are details of part of the looper-actuating mechanism; Fig. 13 is a detail of one of the broom-holding jaws; Fig. 14 is a detail of means for holding the broom handle in connection therewith; Figs. 15 and 16 are details of opposite sides, respectively, of one of the jaws of a vise; Figs. 17 and 18, are details of the mechanism for adjusting the broom-clamping mechanism; Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line 1818, Fig. 17, looking downward; Fig. 19 is a detail of part of the needle-actuating mechanism; Figs. 20 and 21 are details on an enlarged scale of parts of the devices shown in Fig. 19; Figs. 22 and 23 are details of the means for holding the foot-treadle that stops the operation of the machine; Fig. 24 illustrates a broom-holding jaw in position in one of the jaws of the vise; Fig. 25 is a sectional view on the line 27-27, Fig. 24; Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the pair of broomholding cups; Fig. 27 illustrates the looping of the binding twine around the straw and the formation of stitches; Fig. 28 shows the binding twine looped around the straw, and before any stitches have been taken; and Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 27, but differing therefrom in that it illustrates the sewing thread in position for the opposite needle.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 9, 1908.

Patented May 24, 1910. Serial No. 456,886.

One form of embodiment of this machine, and the one at present preferred, comprises a base 1, having a pair of upright standards 2 rigidly, and sometimes integrally, connected thereto. From said standard proj sets an arm 3 adapted to provide a journal bearing at its top for the power-shaft 4, which is additionally journaled at 5 between the standards 2 or in same.

As the machine may be operated either by hand or by mechanical power, said shaft 4 .is provided with a crank-handle 6 and a band-pulley 7 loosely mounted thereon. When it is desired to drive the shaft 4 by said pulley 7, the sliding clutch 8 is thrown into engagement with cooperating parts on said pulley, said clutch being keyed to shaft 4, so as to revolve therewith, and being thrown into and out of engagement with said pulley by means of the fork 9 on the end of one arm of bell-crank lever 10. The other end of said lever is provided with the foot-treadle 11, by means of which the operation of the machine may be stopped, because, when said foot-treadle is depressed, the bell-crank 10 is rocked so as to disengage clutch 8 from the pulley 7. In order that the stoppage of the machine may be automatically maintained until it is desired again to start same, a dog 12, weighted at 13 and pivoted at 14, is located below lever 10 at the part adjacent foot-treadle 11, and mounted upon the post 15. When that arm of lever 10 that bears foot-treadle 11 is sufficiently depressed, it passes dog 12, which rocks to allow it to pass, and is caught against return movement by said dog, which itself is caused to return to .its initial position by reason of weight 13. The position of dog 12 when it is holding the lower arm of lever 10 so as to maintain the machine inoperative is depictedin Fig. 23.

Depression of the lower arm of lever 10, as hereinbefore described, pulls, also, pitman 16, and thereby rocks arm 17 pivoted at 18. Said arm 17 is curved, and on its inner end bears the pawl 19, which engages the teeth of rack 20 on wheel 21. l/Vhen said pawl is out of engagement with said teeth, wheel 21, being loosely mounted on shaft 22, is free to rotate (or oscillate) thereon. The outer end of shaft 22 is formed in the shape of a yoke or fork 23, in which arm 17 is fastened by a pintle at 18, thus requiring arm 17 to rotate (or rock) with shaft 22, pitman 16 being necessarily, by reason of its connection with arm 17, rocked at the same time, pitman 16 being pivot-ed to lever 10 at 24.

Vhen the foot-treadle 11 is released from dog 12, helical spring 25, pushing on clutch 8, tends to push pitman 16 upward, and. leaf spring 26 pushes pawl 19 into engagement with the rack 20. Vhen the foot-treadle 11 is held by dog 12, pawl 19 is retracted from engagement with rack 20, and wheel 21 is free to rotate in either direction so far as thereto impelled by belt 27. Said belt is itself driven from pulley 28, which rotates wit-h shaft 29. Said shaft is actuated by ratchet wheel 30, which itself is pushed forward a notch, or several notches, at each movement by the pawl 31 suitably held in engagement therewith by a spring (not shown). Said pawl 31 is mounted on rod 32, which, when the machine is in operation, is alternately raised and depressed by rod 33, to which it is pivoted at 34. The rod 33 passes through the guide-sleeve 35, and the degree of its throw is regulated by the adjustable, internally-threaded ring 36 adapted to be set at any predetermined point on scale 37 located at the upper part of rod 33. Threads 38 are formed on said rod 33 to allow for the adjustment of ring 36 relative to said scale 37 marked on a flattened portion of said rod. An elbow 39, hearing a pin 40, receives rod 33 within a socket contained therein, and is fastened thereto by set-screw or bolt 41. Said pin 40 rides on the cam faces 42 and 43 formed within a dished portion of wheel 44 located within the band-wheel 7. As said pin 40 rides on the cam faces 42 and 43, rod 33 is necessarily alternately raised and lowered, thereby actuating rod 32 and ratchet wheel 30, and thereby shaft 29, pulley 28, belt 27, and (when pawl 19 is in engagement with rack 20) wheel 21. Vhen wheel 21 is thus driven, it, by means of its connection through pawl 19 with shaft 22, causes the same to rotate. Such rotation will, as hereinafter made plain, not be a complete circumferential rotation, but said rotary movement of shaft 22 and wheel 21 and of ratchet wheel 30 and the intermediate parts, amounting only to partial rotation forward and a return to starting position, is more like oscillation than rotation, and may be correctly described as partial rotation. Said partial rotation in its forward movement governs the feed of the vise 45, composed of a pair of members 46 and 47 pivoted together at 48.

A frame 49 extends across the bottom and upwardly on two sides of the vise 45, and receives in said upward extensions the rod 48, on which the members 46 and 47 are pivoted. Shaft 22 passes through the cross-piece 50 of frame 49, which is thereby pivoted thereto so as to be capable of a for ward and backward rotation thereon in a line substantially at a right angle to the path of opening and closing of the members of the vise 45. Thus, while the members 46 and 47 are pivoted at 48 to open and close, the frame 49, hearing the vise composed of said members, turns with shaft 22 as an axis, so that said frame and the vise carried thereby will rock forward and backward, or may be caused to feed in one direction and rock in the opposite direction. Said shaft 22 is journaled in sleeves 51 provided at the top of standards 2, and one end of said shaft 22 is bent to form the arm 52, which is held by the spring 53 attached to base 1. The connection between shaft 22 and cross-piece 50 is fixed so that same rotate together. The forward rotation of ratchet wheel 30 and, by means of intermediate parts, of wheel 21 causes said shaft 22 gradually to rotate forward, carrying with it the frame 49 and the vise 45 borne thereby, such movement constituting a gradual, but intermittent, forward feed of the vise 45 and the broom-holding jaws 54 and 55 contained therein. Such movement allows the sewing of stitches through the broom to form a progressive scam. The rocking of the frame 49 and connected parts is against the tension of spring 53, which, therefore, normally tends to return the vise45 to the starting position, and assists the operation of doing so when one seam in sewing a broom has been completed and it is desired to begin another in the same or in a different broom. When it is desired to return the vise to such starting position, either pawl 31 must first be disengaged from ratchet wheel 30 by an automatic tripper or by hand, or pawl 19 must be disengaged from rack 20 on wheel 21 (as, for instance, by depression of foot-treadle 11 and pitman 16, as hereinbefore described).

Within the vise members or aws 46 and 47 are located the broom-holding jaws 54 and 55, said parts being illustrated in detail, on an enlarged scale, in Figs. 15 and 13, respectively. Loosely resting on the jaws 54 and 55 are the broom-holding cups 5G and 57. The handle of the broom to be sewed is inserted in pipe 58 to hold same in position while the broom is being sewed. Said pipe is held in a fixed position relative to the jaws 54 and 55 by the stays 59 fastened to said jaws. The handle of the broom to be sewed extends out of said pipe 58 and upwardly to such an extent that its head is slightly above the floor of the cups 56 and 57 and, obviously, located between same. The broom straw, which has been previously attached to said head, fits in cups 56 and 57 when same have been brought into the position of closest proximity to each other, as depicted in Fig. 5.

The stays 59 pass through lugs 60 011 the jaws 54 and 55 and through lugs 61 on pipe 58.

Each vise jaw is dish shaped, and is provided with a flange 62 which borders same on two sides and at its top. A guide-groove 63 is formed in each side portion of said flange, and ribs 64 project inwardly from the back to each vise member. Said guidegrooves 63 slope from the front toward the rear of the flange in which same are located, and said ribs 64 taper in the same direction. The jaws 54 and 55 and the cups 56 and 57 are provided with lugs 65 which slide in said guide-grooves 63, and thus, as they descend vertically, retreat inwardly within said vise members, due to the lesser height of the rib 64 and the rearward incline of the groove 63. This makes possible the adjustment of the broom-holding cups 56 and 57 to the relative thickness of the broom at the successive points where seams are to be sewed, as well as allowing for holding same vertically higher or lower according to which seam is to be sewed. On the rear of the jaw 55 is located a rack 66. A pawl 67 normally engages said rack, and thereby prevents the descent of the jaw bearing same. Since both jaws are connected together by means of the stays 59, pipe 58, and connecting parts, one jaw will not descend without the other. A spring 68 presses pawl 67 into engagement with rack 66. After 'each seam has been sewed, it is naturally desired that the position of the broom shall be altered, so that the next seam will be sewed at a different point. To do so, it is necessary to retract pawl 67 from engagement with the tooth which it held during the sewing of the former seam, so that the jaws and broom cups can descend a slight distance. After this downward movement, the pawl 67 seats under and holds the next hi her tooth of rack 66. Fig. 16 shows pawl 67 engaging the lowermost tooth of said rack preparatory for sewing the lowermost seam of the broom, The retraction of pawl 67 from engagement with rack 66 is accomplished by pulling on handle 69, which thereby draws rod 70 bearing the wedge 71. The faces 72 and 73 of said wedge are, respectively, on the front and back side of said rod 70, and, therefore,

while the face 72 is pushing pawl 67 out of engagement with one of the teeth of rack 66, face 73 is moving into position underneath said tooth, so as to catch thereunder when rack 66 falls, holding said tooth and thus said rack from movement downwardly greater than one notch at a time. Spring 68 forces pawl 67 quickly into engagement with rack 66, but in case of delay on the part of said pawl in catching under the next higher tooth, face 73 of wedge 71 positively insures the holding of the rack against undue movement. Rod 70 is mounted in openings through brackets 74, and is provided with the lock-bar 75, which holds it from rotation. Pawl 67 is pivoted at 76 to brackets 77. Rack 66 (as clearly shown in Fig.

25) is arranged to move vertically in slot 78 in vise jaw 46. When all the seams necessary for a particular broom have been sewed, the ratchet 66 and the jaws 54 and 55 will have descended to the lowest position necessary, and it will then be in order to return same to their highest position, for the purpose of sewing another broom. A pull on handle 79 depresses lever 80 pivoted at 81 and also pivoted at 82 to link 83. Link 83 is pivoted at 84 to rack 66. In Fig. 4, handle 79 is shown in its uppermost position, the movement thereof to raise the rack 66 and connected jaws being an upward one.

A chain wheel 85 is rotatably borne by each arm of frame 49, a chain 86 passing over each of said wheels, one end of each of said chains being attached to the arm 87 on knobs 88, and the other end to spring 89, of which springs there is a pair. Each of said springs is fastened at 90 to its respective arm of the frame 49. Depression of the foot-treadle 91 pulls pitman 92 and therewith the slotted member 93 connected with the pitman by a swiveled joint 94. Vithin the slot 95 in rod 93 is located a threaded rod 96, which carries block 97, an opening through which is internally threaded, so that said block is adjustable on said rod 96 with relation to the scale 98 marked at any suitable or convenient place on rod 93. The position of block 97 on rod 93 is adjusted by rotation of said rod by means of the thumb-screw 99. When foot-treadle 91 is depressed, pitman 92, rod 93, and block 97 descend, block 97 in this movement riding past the depressible dog 100, but return of said block above pin 101 is prevented by the structure of dog 100, which prevents its yielding upward. It, therefore, 101, the dog 100 being caused to return to the position shown in Fig. 17 after block 97 has ridden past it in the downward movement by the weight 102, or a spring, or other suitable means. Said dog 100 is attached to arm 103 projecting from the main frame of the machine by bracket 104.

lVhen foot-treadle 91 is depressed and pitman 92, rod 93, and arm 87 descend, chain 86 is pulled around wheel 85, and thereby cam-grooves 105 and 106, by pressing on pins 107 and 108, cause the vise jaws 46 and 47 to move toward the broom held there between, so as to close upon same and tightly hold the broom that is to be sewed. The vise jaws 46 and47 will be closed a greater or less extent according .to the thickness of the broom to be sewed. The adjustment of the block 97 on rod 96 determines at what point said jaws shall be held apart, as

engages pmsprings 89 can not raise arms 87, rod 93, and connected parts any higher than the point where block 97 strikes and is held by dog 100, and wheels 85 can not rotate any further in the direction opposite to their travel when pulled by foot-treadle 91 than is permitted by the upward travel of block 97. The movement of the vise jaws 46 and 47 toward or from the closed position is governed by the action of the cam grooves 105 and 106 on pins 107 and 108. When a broom has been completely sewed, the inner end of the dog 100 is moved away from the pin 101 and out of the path of the block 97 by swinging the outer end of said dog 100 upwardly, thus permitting the block 97 to move upwardly past said dog, and springs 89 return all the parts to their original or loading position with the vise jaws 40 and 47 in their most distended position. Dependent upon the thickness of the broom to be sewed, the block 97 is adjusted higher or lower relative to the scale 93 on rod 93, the object of said adjustment being to provide for the vise jaws 46 and 47 closing to exactly the right degree to hold the broom to be sewed in the most eflicient manner.

The thread or cord with which the broom is to be sewed may be supplied in any suitable manner, but one mode is as follows: A supply of lengths of binding twine, each length being just about what is proper and necessary to sew one broom, is located adjacent to the machine. A broom 6., the handle 109 with a suitable amount of straw 11.0 to be sewed engaged with said handle) is placed between vise jaws 46 and 47 and the aws 54 and 55, the straw 110 resting in the cups 56 and 57, which are so shaped as to be adapted to receive and, under all circumstances, to hold the broom straw, whether the amount be suitable for a thick broom or one of smaller dimensions. The broom cups 50 and 57 do not in the closest position of the vise jaws necessarily touch each other, but are of such shape (as clearly shown in Fig. 20) that the protuberant part of one fits into the recessed portion of the other, with the result that a protuberant part of either one or the other supports either one part or another of the bunch of broom straw. The foot-treadle 91 is then depressed, and the operation hereinbefore described of closing the vise jaws 46 and 47 is performed. One of the lengths of twine is then taken by the operator and one end is embedded in the straw, the remainder of the length of twine passing through the full thickness of the straw, and then being looped twice around the bunch of straw. That end of the twine not previously mentioned is then looped through one of the encircling loops which in the first instance are left somewhat loose as they are passed around the bunch of straw, but after said lastmentioned looping, the binding twine is drawn taut around the straw, and a loose end of twine is left hanging from the broom as extra sewing thread.

Having now described the structure of the machine in general and all the mechanism necessary for producing the preliminary operations thereof, it will now be in order to describe the needle and looper (or threader) and the sewing mechanism in general.

The operation of sewing takes place when the broom is in the position described above when the vise jaws 40 and 47 have been closed and the twine looped around the broom. Figs. 5 and 6 particularly exhibit the broom and the vise aws, etc, in the positions they occupy while the sewing of the broom takes place.

The needles 111 and 112 and, also, the threaders (or loopers) 113 and 114 are all driven by the single power shaft 4. First, needle 111 is driven forward through the straw 110, and then needle 112 is so driven. First, looper (or threader) 113 is driven forward adjacent to straw 110, and then looper (or threader) 114 is so driven. The movement of each needle is alternate to that of its mate, and the movement of each looper is alternate to its mate. Such movements are caused automatically by rotation of the shaft 4. The needles are disposed in opposite relation to each other. The position of the loopers relative to each other is side by side, but when looper 113 is forward or moving forward, looper 114 has been retracted or is being drawn back. As shaft 4 rotates,

crank 115 alternately raises and lowers connecting rod 116 pivotally fastened thereto by sleeve 117. Said rod 116 is connected by a universal joint 118 to actuating rod 119. Said rod 119 is pivoted at 120 and 121 to the movable arms 122 and 123, which are themselves pivoted at 124 and 125, respectively, to the base 1. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the pivoting of said arms 122 and 123 to the base 1 is such that arms 122 and 123 will be kept from side swaying. Each of said arms terminates in a fork 12G spanning a sleeve 127, through which passes a pintle 128, said sleeve being suitably connected to the base 1. The upper ends of the arms 122 and 123 also terminate in forks 129 and 130, respectively. Forks 129 and 130 are pivoted to yokes 131 and 132, which yokes are, also, pivoted at 133 and 134 to the needle carriers 135. The needle carriers 135 bear the arms 136,in which are fitted the needles 111 and 112. hen arm 122 is rocked forward by rod 119, needle 112 is driven forward through the broom straw 110. \Vhile sameis being rocked backward and needle-112 drawn back through the straw 110, arm 123 is being rocked forward, thereby driving needle 111 through straw 110, to be later retracted by the rearward rocking of arm 123. Thus the forward movements of needles 111 and 112, respectively, alternate with each other.-

When needle 112 is driven forward as just described, it passes under the two strands 138 of binding twine on the side of the broom 110 and over that part 137 of said strands which is located on the opposite side of said broom. By reference to Fig. 27 it will be plainly seen that the needle thus passes through the center of the loop formed by said binding twine around the straw 110. When either needle passes through the straw 110, the guard having a hp 139 is thrown backward to the position shown in Fig. 6, due to the pressure of the straw on the point 140 of said lip, said lip being pivoted at 141 to the shank 142 of the needle. When said lip 139 is thus thrown back, recess 143 in the point 144 of the needle is uncovered, thus presenting same like a hook to catch the loose end 145 of the binding twine in the manner shown in Fig. 6 (said loose endof the twine being at that time held in the month 146 of the looper on the opposite side of the machine from the particular needle holding the thread).

Due to the gradual rocking forward of the vise jaws 46 and .47, by means of ratchet 30 and connected parts, as hereinbefore described, the broom 110 is moved forward so that when stitch 147 has been sewed, the needle next in play comes up not farther away from same than approximately the position of the next stitch 148, and so on, each thrust of a needle within the loop of binding twine surrounding the straw 110 being not only within said loop, but also in such relation to the loose end 145 of the twine as to engage same by hook or recess 143 during its return travel.

The sewing operation is accomplished not by the forward thrust of the needles, but by their retraction, each withdrawal of a needle resulting in pulling the loose end 145 of the twine through the straw 110. When said loose end has been pulled through the straw, the needle does not release same, but pulls it into month 146 of the looper on the same side of the machine on which that particular needle is located, 2'. 6., needle 111 pulls said thread 145 into mouth 146 of looper 114, while needle 112 does the same thing with respect to the looper 113. The movement of the looper immediately after thread 145 has been thus pulled into its mouth, and after its respective needle has been withdrawn from mouth 146, after carrying said thread 145 thereinto, is such as to tighten the stitch by drawing the thread, and, also, to hold same taut, as shown, for instance, in Flg. 5, ready for the opposite needle to engage same by means of its hook or recess 143. Figs. 27 and 29 show the relation of the needle to the strands 137 and 138, to the stitches 147 and 148, and-to end 145 of the binding twine, and the way in which said end 145 is drawn tautand adapted to engagement by the hook 143 of the needles and by mouth 146 of the loopers.

The thread-guides 149 engage each other when the machine is not in use, but when the vise jaws 46 and 47 have been distended to receive a broom, and the broom 110 has been placed in position therebetween, and said jaws closed thereupon, said threadguides closely engage the respective sides of said broom 110, being pressed thereagainst by springs 150, which are mounted on rods 151 fixed to brackets 152. Brackets 152 are fastened to arms 153. Said arms 153 are firmly connected with the main frame of the machine, and their horns 154 form the supports for the rods or tracks 155 on which the respective needle carriers 135 slide. Each thread-guide 149 is provided with a wing 156, for the purpose of separating the thread-guides 149 from each other to allow for the passage of the broom therethrough, under the following circumstances: When it is desired to place a broom in the machine for the purpose of sewing same, the vise jaws 46 and 47 are distended, as hereinbefore described, but the thread-guides 149 remain in contact with each other by reason of the pressure of springs 150. The vise jaws 46 and 47 are first rocked forward, 2'. 6., in the direction of the foot-treadles 11 and 91; when distended, a broom is placed therebetween; the jaws are then clamped on same; said jaws are then rocked in the opposite direction,and when in said second rocking motion the jaws 46 and 47 approach the thread-guides 149 the wings 156 are impinged by said jaws in such manner as to press the thread-guides 149 against the action of springs 150 in order to allow the broom 110 to pass between same, said guides 149 immediately underlying the strands 137 and 138, and preventing sagging thereof.

The loopers 113 and 114 are actuated from the main shaft 4 by the cams or eccentrics 157 and 158 borne thereby. A fork 159 rides on each of said cams. A short arm 160 connects each of said forks 159 with its respective bell-crank lever 161 or 162, pivoted, respectively, at 163 and 164 to the arm 3. The fact that the high parts of cams or eccentrics 157 and 158 are opposite each other causes the respective forks 159 coacting therewith alternately to rock, first, bellcrank 161 and, then, bell-crank 162, and so on as long as shaft 4 rotates. The rocking of the bell-cranks 161 and 162 causes the alternating forward and backward movement of the loopers (or threaders) 113 and 114, the former being forced forward by bell-crank 161, and then retracted thereby at the same time that bell-crank 162 is forcing looper 114 forward. While bell-crank 162 is retracting looper 114, bell-crank 161 causes looper 113 to make its next thrust forward, and so on. Each looper is formed of two strips or members 165 and 166. The forward end of strip 166 is indented as at 167, while the forward end of strip 165 terminates in a hook 168. When indented member 166 is moved forward by bell-crank 161 or 162, it forms the mouth 146 between it and hook 168, which mouth grasps the loose thread 145, and pulls it to the position clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6, 27, and 29, so as to be readily engageable by the retraction of the needle.

Arm 169 is pivoted at 170 to horn 154, and is also loosely connected by pin 171, which passes through slot 172 in strip 166, and is fastened to strip 165. Pins 173 project from the bell-cranks 161 and 162 into their respective slots 174 in strips 165. Said bell-cranks are pivoted to their respective strips 166 at 175. Vhen bell-crank 161 pushes looper 113 forward, it first causes a forward movement of the strip 166, because of its being pivoted thereto at 175, and by this means strip 166 is carried forward its full throw. Simultaneously, pin 173 is moving forward in slot 174, and when it reaches the forward end thereof pushes forward strip 165 to the position in which hook 168 forms with indentation 167 the mouth 146 to grasp the loose end 145 of the sewing twine. hen the twine has been thus grasped by the mouth 146, the further forward movement in unison of strips 165 and 166 forming the looper 113 results in a pull by means of pin 171 on arm 169, which thereupon rotates on its pivot 170, as well as swinging on pin 171. Said rotation of arm 169 on its pivot being in a forward direction, causes arm 169 at one point to assume a vertical position, and thereby to lift looper 113, which reaches its greatest height when arm 169 occupies a vertical position, but the rotation of arm 169 through a segment of a circle gradually raises and gradually lowers looper 113, carrying with it the end 145 of thread or twine held by mouth 146 into the position shown in Fig. 29, and into positions like those shown for looper 114 in Figs. 6, 5, and 27. When thread 145 is thus held, the retraction of the needle causes same, by its hook 143, to engage the thread 145, and to pull same out of the clutch of month 146 and back with the needle through the straw 110, thus making another stitch. The regress movement of loopers 113 and 114 naturally causes arm 169 to rotate backward, and the resumption by strips 165 and 166 and connected parts of the positions shown for looper 114 in Figs. 3 and 4.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Foot-treadle 11 is depressed, and thereby pawl 19 is disengaged from rack 20.

This allows the vise jaws 46 and 47 to rotate 011 shaft 22 independent of the control of rack 30 by pawl 31. Said vise jaws 46 and 47 are then rocked so far forward as to enable the placing of broom 110 therein in a position forward of the thread guides 149. The binding twine will then be looped around the straw 110 in the manner shown in Fig. 28 and as hereinbefore described. The vise jaws 46 and 47 will then be rocked to such position as to bring the forward end of the bunch of straw 110 opposite the needle that will make the first forward movement. If foot-treadle 11 is still being held by the foot, it may at this point be released. Power being now applied to shaft 4, the crank shaft 115 actuates the needles 111 and 112 alternately to reciprocate forward and backward. Rotation of shaft 4 also actuates the loopers 113 and 114 alternately to reciprocate backward and forward by reason of the engagement of forks 159 with cams 157 and 158, and, consequent rocking of bell-cranks 161 and 162. Looper 113 acts as a threader for needle 111, while looper 114 serves the same purpose for needle 112. For this reason, when needle 111 is in its extreme forward position, looper 113 also occupies its extreme forward position. lVheen needle 112 is in its extreme forward position, looper 114 likewise occupies its extreme forward position. The loose end of twine 145 is the thread with which the stitches are sewed in the broom 110, and each stitch is made by drawing said loose end 145 through the straw by means of the backward movement of one of the needles. The forward movement of each needle is so timed as to enable the passage of the needle through the mouth 146 in the looper that serves as the threader for the opposite needle, thus, upon retraction, drawing the loose end 145 t-herethrough, in order that when said looper is thrown by the rotation of arm 169 it will throw the thread 145 over the opposite needle when same approaches through the straw. From this it will be evident that needle 111 passes through month 146 in looper 114, while needle 112 passes through mouth 146 in looper 113. hen the final stitch has been taken in the broom, foot-treadle 11 is again depressed, and the vise jaws 46 and 47 rocked forward, the completed broom removed, and another one of the same size inserted in its stead, and the other operations repeated. The operation of adjusting the vise jaws 46 and 47 and broom-holding jaws 54 and 55 according to the size of the broom which it is desired to sew has already been fully described.

It will be noted that the sewing means operates at an angle of less than 180 degrees to the broom-holding means, while the threading means operates at approximately a right angle to the sewing means.

Having thus described my said invention,

what I claim and desire to secure by Letters- Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination'with needle actuating members, of a connection between them that is pivotally connected thereto, a rotatable driving member, and a pitman having a crank connection with the driving member, said pitman being pivoted to the connection between the members.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with opposite pivotally mounted needle actuating members, of a bar pivotally connected at its ends to the members, a drive shaft having a crank, and a pitman connected to the crank and to the bar bet-ween its ends.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a driving shaft, of swinging needle actuating members located on .opposite sides of the shaft, a bar connecting the members and extending transversely of the shaft, and a crank and pitman connection between the shaft and bar.

4. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination with a supporting frame, of needle carriers movable thereon, longitudinally reciprocatory needle threaders, each comprising relatively and longitu dinally reciprocatory elements, an actuating lever for each threader having a direct connection with both elements for moving them relatively and also simultaneously, and means engaging the levers for operating them.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a supporting frame, of needle carriers mounted thereon, needle threaders, each comprising relatively reciprocatory elements also capable of simul taneous movement, an actuating bell crank .lever for each threader having a pin engaged with both elements thereof for moving them relatively and simultaneously, and means engaging the levers for actuating said levers.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a supporting frame, of needle carriers movable thereon, needle threaders movably mounted on the frame, bell cranks, each having one arm connected to a threader, a driving shaft having cams, and forks engaged by the cams and engaging the other arms of the bell cranks.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a broom holder fixed thereto and rocking therewith, an arm fixed to the rock shaft, a spring engaging the arm for normally holding the rock shaft and the broom holder in a predetermined position, a ratchet wheel, ratchet mechanism acting on the wheel, and means for transmitting motion from the wheel and mechanism to the shaft to effect a step-by-step rotation of the shaft against the action of the spring.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rocking broom holder, of sewing mechanism cooperating therewith, and mechanism for rocking the broom holder, including a shaft that carries the same, a spring for holding the shaft in one position, and ratchet mechanism connected to the shaft independently of the broom-holder for rotating the shaft against the action of the spring and thereby rocking the broom-holder.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rocking broom holder, of sewing mechanism cooperating therewith, and mechanism for rocking the holder, including a rocking shaft that has said holder fixed thereto, said shaft having an offset swinging arm fixed thereto, a spring engaging the arm to swing said arm and rotate the shaft in one direction, and ratchet mechanism connected to the shaft for rotating said shaft against the action of the spring and thereby rocking the broom holder.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a rocking broom holder carried thereby, a spring connected to the rock shaft for moving the same in one direction, and means engaged with the rock shaft for effecting its stepby-step rotation against the tension of the spring.

11. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination with a rock shaft, of a rocking broom holder carried thereby, a spring for moving the rock shaft in one direction, and means geared to the shaft independently of the broom holder for effecting the step-by-step rotation of the rock shaft against the tension of the spring.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of driving means, cams actuated thereby, a pawl, pawl-actuating means operated by said cams, a ratchet wheel driven by said pawl, a shaft on which said ratchet wheel is mounted and driven thereby, a belt, a pulley operated by the belt, a shaft on which said pulley is mounted, and broom-holding means rocked by said shaft.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination with relatively movable broom-holding jaws, of means connecting the jaws for moving them toward each other, and adjustable mechanism for governing and varying the amount of movement of said moving means to vary the space between the jaws to the size of the broom tobe sewed.

14:. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws pivoted together, a wheel at each end thereof provided with cam mechanism, means on each of said vise jaws adapted to cooperate with said cam mechanism to close or distend said jaws, and means for operating said wheels.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws pivoted together, a wheel at each end thereof provided with a cam mechanism, means on each of said vise aws adapted to cooperate with said cam mechanism to close or distend said jaws, means for operating said wheels, and means for regulating the degree of rotation of said wheels.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws pivoted together, a wheel at each end thereof provided with cams, means on each of said vise jaws adapted to cooperate ith said cams to close or distend said jaws, means for operating said wheels, and means for regulating the distention of said jaws by said wheels.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws pivoted together, a wheel at each end thereof provided with cam mechanism, means on each of said vise jaws adapted to cooperate with said cam mechanism to close or distend said jaws, means for operating said wheels, and means for predeterminedly regulating the distention of said jaws by said wheels.

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws pivoted together, a wheel at each end thereof provided with cam mechanism, means on each of said vise jaws adapted to cooperate with said cam mechanism to close or dis'tend said jaws, means for operating said wheels,

and means for predeterminedly regulating the degree of rotation of said wheels.

15). In a machine of the character described, the combination of aws for holding the broom, means for distending and closing same according to the size of the broom, a rod in connection therewith, a block adjustable on said rod, and a stop with which said block is adapted to engage to hold said jaws in a predetermined position.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination of pivoted mem bers for holding the broom to be sewed, a chain wheel held in juxtaposition thereto and provided with cams, members on each of said pivoted members adapted to cooperate with said cams, a chain adapted to rotate said wheel, and means for pulling said chain.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of pivoted broomholding members, cam means mounted independently of the jaws and operating on both for distending and closing same according to the size of the broom, and means for regulating said distention.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination with broom-holding jaws movable toward and from each other, of a rotatable cam member journaled independently of the jaws having a cam engagement with both jaws for drawing them toward each other, and means for rotating said cam member.

23. In a machine of the character described, the combination of broom-carrying means, a shaft on which same is mounted, said shaft having a notch in its end, an arm pivoted in said notch and bearing a pawl, a wheel mounted on said shaft bearing a rack adapted to be engaged by said pawl, a rod carrying a foot-treadle adapted to actuate said pawl to disengage same from said rack, and means connected with said wheel for positively driving said broom-carrying means in one direction.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of broom-carrying means, a shaft on which same is mounted, said shaft having a notch in its end, an arm pivoted in said notch and bearing a pawl, a wheel mounted on said shaft bearing a rack adapted to be engaged by said pawl, a rod carrying a foot-treadle adapted to actuate said pawl to disengage same from said rack, and means adapted, when said pawl is in engagement with said rack, positively to drive said broom-carrying means in one direction.

25. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination with broom-holding means having guides therein, of movable jaws located in said means, and having lugs adapted to engage the guides, means engaging one of the jaws only for holding both of said jaws in diiferent positions, and a handle holding sleeve having pivotal link connections with both jaws and supporting one jaw from the other.

26. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination with broom-holding means having guides therein, of movable jaws located in said means and having de vices that engage the guides, means for lowering and raising the jaws connected to one only of said jaws, and a handle holding sleeve located below the jaws and pivotally connected to both for supporting one jaw from the other.

27. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws having guide ribs therein, broom-holding jaws slidable in connection with said ribs, a ratchet and a pawl engaging the ratchet for holding said jaws and allowing them to descend by stages, and a single actuating device for the pawl movably mounted on a vise jaw and alternately engaging the ratchet and pawl for controlling said descent.

28. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws having guide ribs therein, broom-holding jaws slidable in connection with said ribs, a ratchet and a pawl for allowing said jaws to descend by stages, and a double wedge for controlling said descent.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of vise jaws having guide ribs therein, broom-holding jaws slidable in connection with said ribs, a ratchet and a pawl for allowing said jaws to descend by stages, and a double wedge for disengaging said pawl from said rack and simultaneously preventing undue descent of said jaws.

30. In a machine of the character setforth, the combination with movable broomholding means, of oppositely moving needles that operate across the path of movement of a broom carried by the means, a threader for each needle, and a separate reciprocatory thread guide for each needle and threader.

31. In a machine of the character described, the combination with movable broom-holding means, of oppositely moving needles, that operate across the path of movement of a broom carried by the broomholding means, a threader for each needle, and a separate thread-guide for each needle and threader, said guides being movable into and out of engagement with each other in the path of movement of the broom.

32. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination with movable broom-holding means, of oppositely moving needles that operate across the path of movement of a broom carried by the broomholding means, a threader for each needle, a separate thread-gnide for each needle and threader, and springs for moving the threadguides toward each other.

33. In a machine of the character described, the combination of movable broomcarrying means with thread guides held against movement with the broom-carrying means and disposed on opposite sides of the path of travel thereof, and cooperating needles and threaders coacting with the guides.

34. In a machine of the character described, the combination of movable broomcarrying means and thread guides held against movement with the broom-carrying means and disposed on opposite sides of the path of travel thereof, said thread guides being adjustable under spring pressure to the size of the broom.

35. In a machine of the character described, the combination of movable broomcarrying means and thread guides held against movement with the broom-carrying means and disposed 011 opposite sides of the path of travel thereof, said thread guides being adjustable under spring pressure to 36. In a machine of the character described, the combination with broom-holding means, of sewing means and threading means, the latter comprising an arm that is composed of slidably associated sections, means engaging both sections for effecting first a movement of one section on the other, and afterward a simultaneous movement of both sections, and a swinging supporting link pivotally connected to both sections separate from said moving means and permitting the preliminary relative movement and afterward the simultaneous movement of both sections;

37 In a machine of the character described, the combination with broom-holding means, of sewing means and threading means coacting with the sewing means, the threading means comprising an arm that is composed of slidably associated sections, each section having a slot, an actuating device having a pivot pin passing through the slot of one section and engaging the other section, and a swinging supporting link having a pivot pin passing through the slot of the other section and engaging the first section.

38. In a machine of the character described, the combination of driving means, cams actuated thereby, a pawl, pawl-actuating means operated by said cams, said pawlactuating means being provided with an adjustable stop, a ratchet-wheel driven by said pawl, a shaft on which said ratchet wheel is mounted and which is driven thereby, a belt, a pulley around which the belt passes, a shaft on which said pulley is mounted, and broom-holding means rocked by said shaft.

39. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of driving means, cams actuated thereby, a pawl, pawl-actuating means operated by said cams, said pawlactuating means carrying an adjustable ring adapted to slide upon said pawl-actuating means, a ratchet wheel driven by said pawl, a shaft on which said ratchet wheel is mounted and which is driven thereby, a belt, a pulley engaged by the belt, a shaft on which said pulley is mounted, and broom-holding means rocked by said shaft.

40. In a machine of the character described, the combination of driving means, cams actuated thereby, a pawl, a pawl-actuating rod intermediate said pawl and said cams, a portion of said rod being flattened and screw threaded and carrying an internally threaded ring which engages with the threaded portion of said rod to form a stop for adjusting the throw of said rod, a ratchet wheel driven'by said pawl, ashaft on which said ratchet wheel is mounted and which is driven thereby, a belt, a pulley engaged by the belt, a shaft on which said pulley is mounted, and broom-holding means rocked by said shaft.

41. In a machine of the character described, the combination of driving means, cams actuated thereby, a pawl, pawl-actuating means operated by said cams, a. portion of said pawl-actuating means being flattened, threaded, and bearing a scale and also bearing an adjustable internally threaded ring adapted to be set at any point on said scale, a ratchet wheel driven by said pawl, a shaft on which said ratchet wheel is mounted and which is driven thereby, a belt, a pulley engaged by the belt, a shaft on which said pulley is mounted, and broom-holding means rocked by said shaft.

42. In a machine of the character described, the combination with relatively movable broom-clamping jaws, of a cam journaled at one side of said jaws independently thereof, and connections between the cam and jaws to effect their movements toward and from each other.

4L3. In a machine of the character described, the combination with relatively movable broom-clamping jaws, of an arm arranged adjacent thereto, and a cam journaled on the arm and engaged with the jaws for effecting their relative movements.

44. In a machine of the character described, the combination with broom-holding means, of sewing means, and threading means, said threading means comprising a looping arm composed of slidably engaged members, one of which has a hook, the other being movable across the hook, an actuating device engaging both arms for effecting their successive movements, and a swinging supporting arm having a pin that slidably engages one of the membersand is engaged with the other member.

45. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a rocking broom holder fixed thereto between its ends, means connected to one end of the rock shaft for rotating it to turn the broom holder in one direction, and means connected to the other end of the rock shaft for turning the same and the broom holder in an opposite direction.

46. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a. rocking broom holder fixed thereto between its ends, an offset arm carried by one end of the rock shaft, a spring connected to the arm, a wheel mounted on the other end of the shaft, means for detachably connecting the wheel to the shaft, and means for effecting a step-by-step rotation of the wheel.

47. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination with a rocking broom holder, of sewing mechanism associated with the same, a rotatable driving member having a rack, means for effecting a step-by-step rotation of the member, and a dog that rocks with the broom holder and detachably engages the rack.

48.111 a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a rocking broom holder fixed to the shaft, sewing mechanism associated with the broom holder, a rotatable driving wheel journaled on the rock shaft, and means for connecting the wheel to and disconnecting it from the rock shaft.

49. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a rocking broom holder fixed to the rock shaft, sewing mechanism cooperating with the broom holder, a rotatable driving'wheel journaled on the rock shaft, mechanism for effecting a step-by-step rotation of the driving wheel, saidwheel having a rack, and a dog pivoted on the rock shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the rack.

50. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination with a rock shaft, of a broom holder fixed thereto, sewing mechanism cooperating with the broom holder, a wheel journaled on the rock shaft, means for connecting and disconnecting the wheel to and from the rock shaft, a ratchet wheel geared to the first mentioned wheel, an oscillatory dog cooperating with the ratchet wheel, a drive shaft having a cam wheel, and a link operated by said cam wheel and connected to the dog for oscillating the same.

51. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a broom holder fixed thereto, a 'atchet driving wheel having a cam surface, sewing mechanism, a clutch for connecting the sewing mechanism with the driving wheel, ratchet mechanism for operating the rock shaft operated by the cam surface of said driving wheel, and means for disconnecting the sewing mechanism from the driving wheel and the ratchet mechanism from the rock shaft.

52. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a rock shaft, of a broom holder fixed thereto, sewing mechanism cooperating with the broom holder, a wheel journaled on the rock shaft, and having a rack, a dog movable on the rock shaft into and out of engagement with the wheel, ratchet mechanism geared to said wheel, a drive shaft connected to the sewing mechanism, a driving wheel journaled on the drive shaft and having a cam. a clutch connection between the drive wheel and drive shaft, a link connection between the cam and the ratchet mechanism, a single trcadle, and means operated by said treadle for operating the dog that connects the rock 

